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Julia Knight of Lexington, Ky., was named the winner of the 2012 Childress Idol on Sunday at Childress Vineyards. She was participating in her second singing competition in her life.

“I was just coming here for the experience, more of trying something out and doing something like this,” Knight said.

Knight was one of 25 contestants to compete in the singing competition. She survived four rounds to be declared the winner. The contestants were narrowed to 12, six and then three before the winner was announced.

En route to winning the singing competition, Knight sang “Hallelujah” by Jeff Buckley, “Can't Help Falling in Love” by Elvis Presley and a song she wrote called “Enough for Me to Be.” The final three contestants – Knight, Blair and Luzwick -- each sang the national anthem in the final round. Knight, who received a $250 cash prize and a trophy from Hayes Jewelers, will perform the national anthem during the opening ceremony at 9 a.m. and a 15-minute set on the festival's Grandstand at 2:45 p.m. before the Q 104.1 Q-Jam featuring Craig Morgan, Rodney Atkins and Dustin Lynch.

The Barbecue Festival will be Knight's biggest stage yet.

“I'm kind of nervous,” said Knight, a member of the Tennessee Country Gospel Music Association. “It will probably hit me that day when I see all the people, but I'm more excited because of the opportunity and the experience.”

“We had a lot of great singers,” Jessup said. “We had a lot of professional, quality singers. The reason we were so excited about (Knight's) performance was that she was totally genuine on the stage. She was just totally herself, laughed with us and made us laugh. It made us fall in love with her. That's why we chose her."

Jessup said contestants were from Kentucky, West Virginia, Virginia and North Carolina. He estimated one-third of the contestants were from out of state.

“It shows how people are becoming regionally and nationally aware of the Barbecue Festival, Childress Vineyards and Bob Timberlake,” Jessup said. “I think in time we will probably have people from all over the Southeast. I'm really honored to be a part of it.”

Naset was pleased with the singing competition.

“It was a wonderful day, incredible talent locally and regionally,” she said. “It was a pleasure to be entertained all day by unbelievable (artists)."

Ward called Knight the “complete package” with her songwriting ability, vocals and stage presence.

“She was just the most enjoyable for us to watch,” Ward said.

“We get this vibe that this is just the beginning for her,” Naset added.

Darrick Ignasiak can be reached at 249-3981, ext. 217, or darrick Ignasiak@the-dispatch.com.

<p>A seven-hour trip from Lexington, Ky., to Lexington, N.C., and wowing a panel of judges has earned a 15-year-old teen a spot on the Barbecue Festival's main stage Oct. 27.</p><p>Julia Knight of Lexington, Ky., was named the winner of the 2012 Childress Idol on Sunday at Childress Vineyards. She was participating in her second singing competition in her life.</p><p>“I was just coming here for the experience, more of trying something out and doing something like this,” Knight said.</p><p>Knight was one of 25 contestants to compete in the singing competition. She survived four rounds to be declared the winner. The contestants were narrowed to 12, six and then three before the winner was announced.</p><p>The six finalists were Knight, Freddy Adkins, 34, of Staley, Jordan Bridges, 22, of High Point, Randi Luzwick, 23, of King, Autumn Blair, 16 of Chloe, W.Va.,and Christen C. Hines, 26, of Lexington. Knight, Adkins, Bridges, Luzwick, Blair and Hines will perform on the Barbecue Festival's local stage.</p><p>En route to winning the singing competition, Knight sang “Hallelujah” by Jeff Buckley, “Can't Help Falling in Love” by Elvis Presley and a song she wrote called “Enough for Me to Be.” The final three contestants – Knight, Blair and Luzwick -- each sang the national anthem in the final round. Knight, who received a $250 cash prize and a trophy from Hayes Jewelers, will perform the national anthem during the opening ceremony at 9 a.m. and a 15-minute set on the festival's Grandstand at 2:45 p.m. before the Q 104.1 Q-Jam featuring Craig Morgan, Rodney Atkins and Dustin Lynch.</p><p>The Barbecue Festival will be Knight's biggest stage yet.</p><p>“I'm kind of nervous,” said Knight, a member of the Tennessee Country Gospel Music Association. “It will probably hit me that day when I see all the people, but I'm more excited because of the opportunity and the experience.”</p><p>Judges were Mickey Sharpe, Angie Ward, Stephanie Saintsing Naset and Lee Jessup.</p><p>“We had a lot of great singers,” Jessup said. “We had a lot of professional, quality singers. The reason we were so excited about (Knight's) performance was that she was totally genuine on the stage. She was just totally herself, laughed with us and made us laugh. It made us fall in love with her. That's why we chose her."</p><p>Jessup said contestants were from Kentucky, West Virginia, Virginia and North Carolina. He estimated one-third of the contestants were from out of state.</p><p>“It shows how people are becoming regionally and nationally aware of the Barbecue Festival, Childress Vineyards and Bob Timberlake,” Jessup said. “I think in time we will probably have people from all over the Southeast. I'm really honored to be a part of it.”</p><p>Naset was pleased with the singing competition.</p><p>“It was a wonderful day, incredible talent locally and regionally,” she said. “It was a pleasure to be entertained all day by unbelievable (artists)."</p><p>Ward called Knight the “complete package” with her songwriting ability, vocals and stage presence.</p><p>“She was just the most enjoyable for us to watch,” Ward said.</p><p>“We get this vibe that this is just the beginning for her,” Naset added.</p><p>Darrick Ignasiak can be reached at 249-3981, ext. 217, or darrick Ignasiak@the-dispatch.com.</p>